Despite warnings, heating bills come with sticker shock

Official: 'I don't think in many cases people have ever seen bills like this.'

Official: 'I don't think in many cases people have ever seen bills like this.'

December 27, 2005

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) -- Officials have warned customers that this year's heating bills will be more expensive than years past. But now that the bills have arrived, some are still experiencing sticker shock. Ross Township trustee John Rooda, whose northwestern Indiana office processes applications for state and federal assistance, said families have bills of more than $500 a month this winter. "It's really bad," he said. "I don't think in many cases people have ever seen bills like this." Eliza Vela, executive director of Gary Neighborhood Services, has seen bills reach into the thousands of dollars before -- but only if the bills were past due. Vela said now she sees current bills topping $1,000. "We're very much concerned about the bills we're seeing coming in," Vela said. Northern Indiana Public Service Co. spokesman Tom Cuddy said more people have been calling the utility about their bills. "We've been working since August to help spread the word that gas costs are going to be high this heating season," Cuddy said. "Typically, people don't notice that message until they get their first heating bill." Cuddy said families can expect to pay an average of $310 more during the winter months this year than they did last year. The cost of natural gas is up nearly 50 percent from a year ago, and temperatures have been well below normal for this time of year. Cuddy said customers should call NIPSCO prior to receiving their bills to discuss payment-plan options. He also urges homeowners to offset the costs of heating by lowering the thermostat, turning the water heater down, changing furnace filters and adding weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors. Longtime Valparaiso resident Joe Hojnacki replaced his furnace three years ago with the most efficient one available at the time. Yet the NIPSCO bill that arrived on Tuesday was a whopping $429. "Thank goodness I got the new furnace," Hojnacki said. "I can't imagine what that 30-year-old furnace would cost. It probably would be $600." Valparaiso resident Cory Thompson saves money by keeping his thermostat at 60 degrees while he's home and 58 degrees when he's away from home. "People joke and say I'm cheap," Thompson said. "Maybe I am."